0
0
Welcome to Against All Odds: NFL Divisional Round! From the opening weekend of the NCAA football season through Super Bowl LII, Mike Drakulich (PSN), the man behind Pittsburgh SportsNation, takes on his father, Michael J. Drakulich (MJD), in picking NCAA and NFL games against the Vegas spread.
Mike Drakulich covers both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pitt Panthers during the season for NGSCSports.com!
To appease the taste buds of Pittsburgh’s local coverage area, Pitt, Penn State, and West Virginia, when they are playing, will always be on the docket among the NCAA games chosen, as will the Pittsburgh Steelers for NFL games.
Once Bowl Season arrives, we’ll bring you EVERY Bowl Game and then continue throughout the conclusion of the NFL Playoffs.
Itchy vs Scratchy. Black Spy vs White Spy. Cheers vs Gary’s Old Towne Tavern. History is full of rivalries, but none are better than father vs son! Who will rise above the other this season and become the 2018-19 Against All Odds Champion?
Unlike some of these jagoff candidates who don’t have the gall to concede a race when surely defeated, I am throwing in the white towel. For the 3rd time in four years my dad has managed to kick my ass in these picks and I proclaim him the 2018-19 Against All Odds Champion.
Still… there’s work left to do before the season ends, and one goal is to finish above .500 for the year.
Last week I went 4-1 and gained two games on my dad to up my record to 86-89. There are seven games left on the docket, so I’ll have to go 6-1.
Dad is now 94-81 and would undoubtedly like to hit the century mark, so he’ll have to go 6-1 as well.
This week we have the NFL Divisional Rounds, four games that we all beg that are better than the PBS documentaries we saw last week falling asleep to.
Lines as of 1/10/2019
NFL Divisional Round
Saturday, January 12th
#6 Indianapolis Colts (11-6) at #1 Kansas City Chiefs (12-4), 4:35 pm
Line: Kansas City -5.5
Pick: PSN: Indianapolis | MJD: Kansas City
Patrick Mahomes is a special player and will be for years to come. They playoffs are a different atmosphere the first time out. The Chiefs haven’t lived up to expectations in the playoffs in a very long time, especially at home. You can’t dismiss how well Andrew Luck and the Colts are playing. They could very well steal this game away. Close game that comes down the to 4th quarter and whomever makes the least amount of mistakes. I like Indy in a shocker.
#4 Dallas Cowboys (11-6) at #1 LA Rams (13-3), 8:15 pm
Line: LA Rams -7.5
Pick: PSN: LA Rams | MJD: Dallas
The Cowboys are kinda like Notre Dame. They’ve earned their way here, but now they face the bully in Aaron Donald and the Rams. Big question will be whether Jared Goff gets his head out of his arse in this game. I see the Rams relying on the run game and putting relentless pressure on Dak Prescott.
Sunday, January 13th
#5 LA Chargers (13-4) at #2 New England Patriots (11-5), 1:05 pm
Line: New England -4.5
Pick: PSN: LA Chargers | MJD: LA Chargers
This could be the year for Phillip Rivers and the Chargers. Tom Brady and the Patriots are there for the taking. Will they step up to the challenge? They almost blew a 20 point lead against the Ravens with five minutes left in the game last week. Hopefully that taught them a lesson to never let up in a playoff game.
#6 Philadelphia Eagles (10-7) at #2 New Orleans Saints (12-4), 4:40 pm
Line: New Orleans -8.5
Pick: PSN: New Orleans | MJD: New Orleans
I don’t know how the hell the Eagles keep doing it. Just like last year, they keep defying the odds and finding ways to win games. That luck ends this week vs Drew Brees and the high powered Saints offense.
Pick Results
MJD: Last Week: 2-3 | Bowls: 27-12 | Overall: 94-81 — .537
PSN: Last Week: 4-1 | Bowls: 17-22 | Overall: 86-89 -8 .491
2018 Champion: MJD
2017 Champion: PSN
2016 Champion: MJD
2015 Champion: MJD
2014 Champion: PSN
2013 Champion: PSN
Author Profile
- Your source for Pittsburgh sports!
-
From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team.
There's nowhere on earth that is more dedicated to its sports teams like Western Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh. The passion and pride of Pittsburgh's fan base is second to no one. From the NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, to W.P.I.A.L. high school sports, "The City of Champions" has it all!
As Editor of Pittsburgh SportsNation, Mike Drakulich provides top notch opinions and coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitt Panthers football & basketball, Robert Morris Colonials basketball, and Duquesne Dukes basketball, as well as all sports teams that represent Western Pennsylvania, including WPIAL High School Football.
For a refreshing view of sports, mixed with humor and uncensored opinions, check out Pittsburgh SportsNation today on Facebook, Twitter @PghSportsNation and videos with over 1,000,000 views on YouTube!
Latest entries
FeaturesMarch 18, 2024The DraX-Files: This Week in Pittsburgh Sports
FeaturesMarch 12, 2024The DraX-Files: This Week in Pittsburgh Sports
FeaturesMarch 3, 2024The DraX-Files: This Week in Pittsburgh Sports
FeaturesFebruary 25, 2024The DraX-Files: This Week in Pittsburgh Sports